Variety of Geranium plant named `Maiden Lilac`

ABSTRACT

The cultivar is characterized by its compact medium green foliage and vivid lavender bloom. Its strong growth habit, quick rooting time and continuous flowering provide for superb cuttings and also for quick recovery following wet weather conditions. The blooms exhibit good post-harvest quality.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofPelargonium×domesticum known by the varietal name Maiden Lilac (OgleveeNo. 717, Bodger No. 2 PD 18-5). The new variety was discovered in aselective breeding program by David Lemon at Bodger Seeds, Ltd., Lompoc,Calif. The new variety is a selection from the crossing of Morning Glory(Bodger No. 5 PD 63 unpatented) which is characterized by having a redpurple flower with some white with Prince (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,090)wich has a medium purple flower with rich burgundy blotches, whichparents are distinguishable from the claimed cultivar which has a vividlavender bloom.

The new cultivar was first asexually reproduced by cuttings at OgleveeLtd., Connellsville, Pa., and has been repeatedly asexually reproducedby cuttings at Oglevee Ltd. in Connellsville, Pa. It has been found toretain its distinctive characteristics through successive propagations.

The new cultivar, when grown in a glass greenhouse in Connellsville,Pa., using full light, 60° Fahrenheit night temperature, 68° Fahrenheitday temperature, and grown in a soilless media of constant fertilizer150-200 parts per million of nitrogen and potassium has a response timeof fourteen weeks from the rooted cutting to a flowering plant in a 6inch pot.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing illustrates the new cultivar, the color beingas nearly true as possible with color illustrations of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth characteristics of the newcultivar. The data which defines each characteristics was collected fromasexual reproduction carried out by Oglevee Ltd. in Connellsville, Pa.The plant histories were taken on rooted cuttings believed to have beenpotted on approximately Feb. 1, 1996 and flowering on approximately Apr.25, 1996 under full light and greenhouse, and colorings were takenindoors under 200-220 foot candles of fluorescent cool white light usingThe R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

The Plant

Classification:

Botanical.--Pelargonium×domesticum.

Commercial.--Regal Geranium Maiden Lilac.

Form: Compact mound.

Height.--16.0-18.0 cm above media.

Growth.--Controlled.

Strength.--Fast rooting, compact sturdy growth -- no support needed.

Foliage: Stalked leaf attachment.

Leaves:

Size.--6.0-7.5 cm.

Shape.--Depressed ovate, cordate base.

Margin.--Serrate margin.

Texture.--Leathery, pubescent.

Color.--Top: Yellow-green group 146 B. Bottom: Yellow-green group 148 B.Zone: None.

Ribs and veins.--Palmate venation: Color: Yellow/green group 147C.

Petioles:

Length.--5.0-6.5 cm.

Color.--Yellow/green group 146C.

Stem:

Color.--Yellow/green group 146D.

Internodes.--1.5-2.0 cm.

The Bud (Umbell)

Shape: Elliptical Cluster.

Size: 2.0-2.5 cm.

Inflorescence

Blooming habit: Continuous.

Borne: Umbel; florets on pedicel; pedicel on peduncle.

Closed Florets:

Bud size.--1.0-1.5 cm length, 0.5 cm width.

Size:

Fully open bloom.--7.5-8.5 cm across.

Open florets:

Form.--Cupped. Top: Purple Group 78A. Bottom: Violet Group 84C. Eye:Upper two petals Red-Purple group 59A. Lower three petals Red-Purplegroup 74B with white along edges to create a white "throat".

Petals.--Five.

Size.--4.5-5.5 cm.

Texture and appearance.--Satiny, appearance from a distance is a vividlavender bloom above compact medium green foliage.

Petaloids

Quantity.--None.

Pedicel:

Length.--1.0-1.5 cm.

Color.--Yellow-green group 146C.

Peduncle:

Length.--5.5-6.0 cm.

Color.--Yellow-green group 146C.

Persistence:

Disease resistance.--Not known.

Lasting quality.--Unknown.

Reproductive Organs

Stamens:

Anthers.--3-4 mm in length.

Filaments.--Length: 1.4-2.0 cm. Color: White.

Pollen.'Golden brown.

Pistils:

Number.--One.

Length.--1.5-1.8 cm.

Stigma.--Color: Red-purple group 60C; 5-6 parted.

Style.--Length 1.2-1.5 cm.

Ovaries:

Color--Pale Green, Pubescent; Superior.

Length.--5 mm.

Fruit: None.

General Characteristics

Maiden lilac is one of three colors in the new Maiden Regal Geraniumseries. The Regal "Maiden" series is a group of Pelargonium×domesticumvarieties having large blooms with a compact medium plant size makingthem suitable for growing in a 5" pot. This series exhibits unique plantsize, bloom size, and bloom color. Stock production is improved withmany cuttings and quick rooting.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Geranium plant, substantiallyas shown and described.